Lights...
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Lights...
Days are getting short, standard time is around the corner, and my weekly mileage [kilometrage] is down to about 300 km. So I'm thinking of buying a lighting system. Is 10w enough for most road riding? I don't expect to be riding much past 7:00 pm on any night, and I don't expect to be out for mre than 2 hours in the dark.
Also, I'm looking at the Night Hawk lighting systems at Mountain Equipment Co-op [hhtp://www.mec.ca/]. The prices are good and the couple of guys I know who use this brand have good things to say about it. Opinions?
Also, I'm looking at the Night Hawk lighting systems at Mountain Equipment Co-op [hhtp://www.mec.ca/]. The prices are good and the couple of guys I know who use this brand have good things to say about it. Opinions?
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
#2
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Velocipedio,
I ride to work every morning in the dark. I have a 15W on one bike and a 10W on the other. The 10W is plenty; I can't tell a big difference between the two. Much of my ride is on reasonably well-lit city streets where I often can't even see my light on the ground. Where it is dark, I can see quite well enough to observe bumps, rough spots, trash, etc. in plenty of time to adjust course if necessary.
Ride lit. (Sorry, Pat, I won't do it again. )
Regards,
Raymond
I ride to work every morning in the dark. I have a 15W on one bike and a 10W on the other. The 10W is plenty; I can't tell a big difference between the two. Much of my ride is on reasonably well-lit city streets where I often can't even see my light on the ground. Where it is dark, I can see quite well enough to observe bumps, rough spots, trash, etc. in plenty of time to adjust course if necessary.
Ride lit. (Sorry, Pat, I won't do it again. )
Regards,
Raymond
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Geez, rainman, that's a lot of candlepower! I doubt that much would be needed for a fast descent of L'Alpe D'Huez!!!
How many volts does your systen use? Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of .5 amperes. More than enuf for me.
(sorry about the error before. I'm a mechanical engineer, not an EE)
How many volts does your systen use? Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of .5 amperes. More than enuf for me.
(sorry about the error before. I'm a mechanical engineer, not an EE)
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Last edited by D*Alex; 10-05-01 at 01:12 PM.
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Originally posted by D*Alex
Geez, rainman, that's a lot of candlepower! I doubt that much would be needed for a fast descent of L'Alpe D'Huez!!!
How many volts does your systen use? Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of 18 amperes. More than enuf for me.
Geez, rainman, that's a lot of candlepower! I doubt that much would be needed for a fast descent of L'Alpe D'Huez!!!
How many volts does your systen use? Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of 18 amperes. More than enuf for me.
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originally posted by D*Alex
Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of 18 amperes.
Mine is 6v, 3w, for a grand total of 18 amperes.
I have two, yes two, NiteRider NightOwls, 10W each. The battery will last for over 2 hours on each. I run one at a time unless it is really dark or raining. I live in Atlanta (lots of traffic) so the more the merrier. I want to see and be seen.
Ten watts should be plenty for riding at night. Just be sure the Night Hawk model you get (you didn't say which one) will last for 2 hours.
And don't forget a taillight.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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arrgghh!
V * I = W.
Yes, I once took a circuits course, and actually passed with a B+. I will now go back and edit my mistake.
(Notice that I have accepted my error, and am notifying everybody before I alter it).
V * I = W.
Yes, I once took a circuits course, and actually passed with a B+. I will now go back and edit my mistake.
(Notice that I have accepted my error, and am notifying everybody before I alter it).
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Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
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I started my night riding by using only a good memory and a rear flasher. Later I moved up to a cheap TREK 3W light, the amount of well directed light from the Trek is more than enough to make me visible to others and cover my part of the road. I'm sure the 10W stadium lights are outstanding for the trails but probably too much for quiet back roads.
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Originally posted by D*Alex
arrgghh!
V * I = W.
Yes, I once took a circuits course, and actually passed with a B+. I will now go back and edit my mistake.
(Notice that I have accepted my error, and am notifying everybody before I alter it).
arrgghh!
V * I = W.
Yes, I once took a circuits course, and actually passed with a B+. I will now go back and edit my mistake.
(Notice that I have accepted my error, and am notifying everybody before I alter it).
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When it's good it's really good...And when it's bad I go to pieces - David Bowie
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I have a TurboCat 10 watt helmet mounted light. I really like the helmet type because I can check out the pavement around the next turn. Its also good for shining at cars that are coming up to you from the side and may not see your handlebar mounted beam. Take it easy if you are riding with just one lite, no matter how bright, because with just one lite you do not have good depth perception. I plan to get another 10 watt lite for the bars once I get some money. And don't forget a rear LED lite. Get 2, their cheap.
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I have a TurboCat 10 watt helmet mounted light.
Has anyone tried one with a helmet?
Richard
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One night a few years ago my wife and I were walking on one of our multiuse gravel, little traveled trails. Off in the distance we saw these amazingly bright lights heading our way. We thought it was a car - but, lo and behold, it wa a bike with a dual light system. I was very impressed, both because they could see so very well on this somewhat winding trail, and, mostly, because I could see the bike so well. I thought - that looks pretty safe when competing with car lights and the like.
So, I just installed a dual light system, one 5 and one 10 watt light on my bars. They are really great. I mostly am using the 5 watt, but when I am going where I know there are deer and other animals on the trail (through past experience) or the trail is windy, I will turn on both - and wow, I can really see. Also, at age 62, your night vivion leaves a little to be desired.
So, I just installed a dual light system, one 5 and one 10 watt light on my bars. They are really great. I mostly am using the 5 watt, but when I am going where I know there are deer and other animals on the trail (through past experience) or the trail is windy, I will turn on both - and wow, I can really see. Also, at age 62, your night vivion leaves a little to be desired.
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Originally posted by velocipedio
...I'm looking at the Night Hawk lighting systems at Mountain Equipment Co-op [hhtp://www.mec.ca/]. The prices are good and the couple of guys I know who use this brand have good things to say about it. Opinions?
...I'm looking at the Night Hawk lighting systems at Mountain Equipment Co-op [hhtp://www.mec.ca/]. The prices are good and the couple of guys I know who use this brand have good things to say about it. Opinions?
Is 10w enough for most road riding? I don't expect to be riding much past 7:00 pm on any night, and I don't expect to be out for mre than 2 hours in the dark.
Best of all, since the battery is rechargeable, you will not be going through expensive batteries like crazy.
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This sounds cheap and easy:
https://www.crw.org/CheapLights.htm
https://www.crw.org/CheapLights.htm
#14
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Thanks mw, but $45 US = @ $70 Canadian... I can get a 20w/10w twin light system from Mountain Equipment Coop for $100 Cdn [@ $65 US]. For $30 [$20 US] I save myself the time of going from store to store buying parts and the time of assembling it all myself. I don't have the time these days to be creative.
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
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I go with high wattage also: A NightHawk Dual (20 &10) on the handlebars, a Marwi nightpro 10 w helmet lamp, and another nightpro with a red lens added to be a bright taillight. I go for such a large amount of light because my commute is over portions of heavily traveled road, and includes some roads that are unlit by streetlights running through a nature preserve. In other words the only light out there comes from my lamps. Like Denver, as an older rider I need more light than I would have in my 20's & 30's. As a year-round rider, I give all my equipment high marks. Of course I am running out of outlets to plug chargers into.
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I like the Marwi NightPro. I live where there are no street lights and I often ride in the pitch dark. My light has a 15 watt and a 20 watt bulb. They are designed to be used one at a time. I always use the 20. It's nice to be able to see where you're going and it's nice to know that cars coming the other way can see you (they usually dim their lights when they see me coming).
Check out BikerBob on the internet for a good price. You can also check out the MTBR website. They have consumer reviews. They also have a special "spotlight" on bike lights where they show you pictures of various beams. The Performance light is made by Marwi.
Check out BikerBob on the internet for a good price. You can also check out the MTBR website. They have consumer reviews. They also have a special "spotlight" on bike lights where they show you pictures of various beams. The Performance light is made by Marwi.